Arts & Culture

Top Spring 2014 Theater Productions In Denver

The theatre community in Denver is always bustling with lots of choices for your weekend entertainment. No matter what time of year, there is always something fun and interesting to check out. Of course, springtime is here and, in the theatre community, that means a lot of companies all over the Denver area are producing old favorites as well as new titles. From high-energy musicals to powerful dramas, there is a lot to choose from, and there is a little something for everyone. Check out these fantastic shows that are all opening on March 28 in the Denver area. Luckily they all have a long run, so you don’t have to pick just one.

“A Song for Coretta” is the story of five fictional mourners who have gathered at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church to pay respect to the late Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The play tells stories of Mrs. King’s life and the intense sorrow that so many experienced at her passing. It is a powerful and impressive look at a life that was truly lived and is told in the intimate and powerful way that only Vintage Theatre Productions provides. Check out this great play and visit Vintage Theatre Productions in Aurora for some wonderful storytelling and emotionally compelling theatre.

For those that enjoy truly intense and powerful dramas, “Frozen” is a must-see. It is the story of Agnetha, an American student who travels to England to research her thesis, titled “Serial Killing – A Forgivable Act?” While there, she meets Nancy, the mother of a missing 10-year-old girl, and Ralph, a man serving a life sentence in prison for serial killing. The story winds the tales of these three people who are frozen in their own personal states of emotion. It is a powerful look at remorse, psychology and the human capacity for forgiveness. All performances are at The Bug Theatre, a beautiful historic building in North Denver.

How about a little musical fun for your spring theatre fix? Check out “Hairspray,” the hilarious musical about the 1960s in Baltimore, where the lovable teenager, Tracy Turnbald, has only one wish – to dance on the “Corny Collins Show.” The musical takes a turn when Tracy’s dream comes true, as she is transformed from an outcast into a star. There is a lot of amazing fashion, plenty of high-energy dancing and lots of hairspray-filled hairdos that will make you relive your teenage years all over again. Check this out at the Lakewood Cultural Events Center – a beautiful space without a bad seat in the house.

“Road to Mecca” is written by an award-winning playwright from South Africa, Athol Fugard. It tells the story of Helen Martins, a woman pressured by her village to enter a retirement home. This play won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for best new play and it is sure to be a beautiful and powerful production that will showcase the brilliant storytelling that is only possible with live theatre. Make sure to arrive a little early when you get to Miners Alley Playhouse to enjoy a drink in the beautiful lobby bar and check out the stunning mountain views.

The true story of “Chronicles of Narnia” author C.S. Lewis and his relationship with Joy Davidman is the story behind “Shadowlands.” This moving play takes a look at just how powerful great love can be and how difficult the loss of that love can be. The plot takes a turn when Davidman was diagnosed with cancer and how that diagnosis shook the foundation of C.S. Lewis’s faith, impacting his career and writing forever. This beautiful play is presented at the Space Theater in the Denver Center complex, and will be a reminder of true love and the power of the written word.

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.